Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as his successor in 2007, citing concerns over El-Rufai’s maturity and readiness for Nigeria’s highest office.
Speaking at the Ajibosin Platform Annual Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of character, experience, and leadership development in governance. “Leadership should never be a crash course learnt on the job. It must be built through consistent character and experience,” Obasanjo stated during his keynote address.
The former president revealed that the recommendation came from then-Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka, who had advocated for El-Rufai’s candidacy. Turning to Chidoka during the event, Obasanjo remarked, “Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving the government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” to which Chidoka nodded in agreement.
Obasanjo explained that while El-Rufai had served under his administration as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, he believed El-Rufai “needed to mature” before assuming the presidency. Instead, Obasanjo backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who eventually succeeded him in 2007.
The revelation has sparked renewed debate about leadership succession and mentorship in Nigerian politics. Obasanjo lamented the lack of structured leadership training in the political sphere, comparing it unfavorably to other professions. “Even armed robbers have apprentices,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.